Breast screening changes worry AMA

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) says it is unacceptable the South Australian Government plans to curtail digital breast screening.

A leaked budget paper lists funding options for BreastScreen SA, one of which would cut funding for radiographers and end Saturday screening at premises at Wayville and Elizabeth in Adelaide.

The paper estimates 19 breast cancers annually would go undetected due to any change.

Dr John Sporn of the AMA says that would be almost 5 per cent of the total screen-detected cancers.

"BreastScreen of course is a very important program, a very successful one, and I think that to reduce that activity, I mean there are estimates there of undetected cancers, now that's completely unacceptable," he said.

SA Health Minister John Hill says the Federal Government will be responsible for funding breast screening from July next year.

He says interim arrangements are being clarified at present.

Opposition health spokesman Duncan McFetridge says any cuts would be misguided as the new digital equipment can saves lives and money in the long run.

"The savings of early detection and treatment is $30,000 per woman per year so this pays for itself time and time again," he said.

"How broke is this state? How many cuts are you going to make to put people's lives at risk?"